A space to share my travels — whether it's across an ocean or a few miles down the road.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

A Wacky Wednesday!

Hey, Bloggy Friends!

Do you remember early on last semester I shared with you a really bad day I was having? It was the time I spilled an Odwalla all over my cashmere, someone called me a bug - yea, that's the one. Well, it seems I've been dealt a similar hand of cards today. I don't want to complain, because I try to keep my complaints to a minimum, but it would feel really nice if I could get a few things off of my chest with you for a moment. Do you mind?..... Oh, thank you!

So, it all started around one when I ventured downtown from campus to check out an apartment. I've been really excited about this one. It is in the exciting, new loft district of Philadelphia. The pictures we saw of it boasted tall ceilings, exposed brick walls and brand new appliances among other things. I couldn't wait to see it. When I arrived no one was there to take me up. I called the number of the person showing the apartment and she had forgotten I was coming. "I'll be there in five minutes," she shrieked. Well, twenty-five minutes and a full bladder later she finally showed up full of apologies. I really wasn't in the mood to hear them, so I gestured for her to get a move on. As we were walking up she turned to me and said, "So you're looking for a one bedroom, right?"

"No, we are interested in the two bedroom in unit 308," I replied hastily.

"Oh no," she winced, "the two bedroom was rented out already!"

I was headed in the opposite direction before she finished her sentence. As I hurried down Broad Street to catch my train I was already imagining the scathing email I would write to the rental company we are using to find a place. "Why had they not informed me of this? Is this what kind of business they run? You just emailed me earlier in the day to confirm this appointment!" To ease my tensions I reached into my bag to pull out the carton of chocolate soy milk I brought for lunch. When I pulled off the tab, in the midst of all this tension, a huge splash of it popped out all over my favorite, cream-colored, panda t-shirt! So, there I was in the middle of Broad street, chocolate milk streaming off me, trying my best to keep it on the sunny side. In truth, worse things could happen, so I just hopped on the train and went on to my Economics class. This was my last class of the day, so all I had to do was go for an hour, then I could go home.

When class was over I had a little time to spare before the train picked me up, so I walked down the street to Rite-Aid to buy some stain remover (for the chocolate stain). I found it easily, paid for it and made my way to the train station. When I got there I laid my notebook down to pull out my headphones and listen to an NPR podcast called "This American Life." (You should check it out.) It wasn't long after I pushed play that the train came to pick me up and carry me away like a calgon commercial. The ride was peaceful, and I was happy when the conductor yelled, "WISSAHICKON!" That was my stop! I got up to leave but realized something felt different, you know that feeling when you've been carrying something all day and you feel it missing when it's gone. It was my notebook! I turned to see if I had left it in my seat, but it wasn't there. I left it sitting at the train station after I pulled my iPod out. This wasn't just any notebook, mind you, this was the trapper that had all my syllabus', every class note since the beginning of the semester and all upcoming assignments! What a friggin' bummer!

So, here I am, at the other end of my pretty bad day - just hoping I've seen an end to my day of small travesties. I know in the whole scheme of things I don't have a lot to complain about. I'm healthy, able-bodied, sheltered and loved, but I can't help but feel a little bummed. I guess the thoughts that are comforting me most right now are that there are tons of other apartments out there, my shirt is all spray-n-washed and currently in spin cycle, and I can easily buy a new Mead notebook and reprint my syllabus'. Things could be worse, so I must keep it in perspective. We have so much more to be thankful for!

Thanks for listening to me rant, Bloggy Friends. In my process of regurgitating my frustrations, I have come full circle and feel a lot better! I hope you're all having a great night. Here's to a lovely tomorrow!

Love, Josh

P.S. Oh look, Galileo left a turd for me to clean up in my dressing room. Brilliant!

8 comments:

I'm so sorry you're having a bad day, Josh! Here's hoping it gets better! After all, they say bad things come in threes, right? So you have the apartment, the chocolate stain, and the notebook. So you're done! (I guess Galileo's mess could be filed under part 2, stains.) Love you!

Ohhh nooo. What an unfortunate day you've had. You know, I've found, and I know you know this already, but sometimes it's hard not to just lose it, that if you don't keep you cool, once you get upset it just seems to blossom after that. You're upset about this and then this happens, then that. Well, as The Secret goes... unpleasant feelings and bad vibes will bring on more unpleasant feelings and bad vibes. If you put it out there, that's what you're gonna get back in return. So, girl, try to keep your cool in these situations. Keeping your cool doesn't mean you can't voice your opinion to the realtor helping you find an apartment. I think you should mention the irresponsibility of the lady who completely forgot about you. So, remember The Secret! Positive thoughts and feelings bring about more positive thoughts and feelings. Negative energy attracts more negative energy! It's true!

You'll have a much nicer day tomorrow and thereafter! I know what you need!!!! Some Xanies!!!!!

I might have gone back to the station for the notebook (lost & found?). But you just started classes, so you couldn't have had all that many notes (or did ya?).

Are you sitting down? I agree with Rick. The way I see your day, the rental thing (disappointment, a sense of betrayal, not being treated as a proper customer) set a frame of mind that worsened the rest of what happened. I guess what I'm saying is that the rental situation bothered you more than you were even conscious of. You didn't understand how mad you were (even though, of course, you realized you were mad ...).

Goh, and in the middle of it all you were kind enough to respond to a (?) slightly silly email of mine.